Judge overturns Trump funding cuts to Harvard

A US JUDGE ordered the Trump administration this week to overturn deep funding cuts to Harvard University that froze more than $2 billion over allegations of antisemitism and bias at the Ivy League institution.

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The administration, which vowed to appeal, insisted its move was legally justified over Harvard's alleged failure to protect Jewish and Israeli students amid campus protests against Israel's war in Gaza.

Harvard denied those claims, saying Trump was instead focused on controlling the prestigious school’s hiring, admissions and curriculum.

The cuts to Harvard’s funding stream forced it to implement a hiring freeze while pausing ambitious research programmes, particularly in the public health and medical spheres —pauses experts warned put American lives at risk.

The ruling could shape talks on a settlement reportedly under way between Harvard and the White House under which the university would pay a sum acknowledging Trump's claims, with federal funding restored in return.

Other universities have struck similar deals with the administration.